By Pete Dougherty / greenbaypressgazette.comThe Green Bay Packers have until March 1 to tender restricted free-agent Cullen Jenkins a contract offer but are continuing negotiations this week to sign the valuable fourth-year player to a long-term deal before then. One of Jenkins' agents, Brian Levy, said Wednesday the Packers haven't told him what restricted contract tender they will make, though it's almost a given it will be either the new second-round tender or a first-round tender. Levy probably won't find out until next week, but he's scheduled to meet with Andrew Brandt, the team's vice president of player finance, at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week to continue discussing a long-term deal. "We're going to sit down with them (today)," Levy said. Jenkins is a restricted free agent whose move to defensive end for the last four games last year was a significant factor in the Packers' defensive improvement in the season's final month. That, plus his ability to move to defensive tackle on passing downs, has made him an offseason signing priority for the Packers. -- More

A game of tag appears unlikelyGreen will probably test the marketBy TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.comPosted: Feb. 20, 2007The Green Bay Packers have a little more than a week to get running back Ahman Green signed if they want to prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent. At this point, Green seems interested in testing the market to see how much he's really worth even though his preference appears to be to remain with the Packers. To keep predators away from their leading rusher, the Packers are going to have to find common ground with him fairly soon. One option that isn't in the cards is the use of a franchise or transition tag to keep Green off the market. It would cost the Packers a one-year offer of $6.9 million to use the franchise designation and $5.9 million to use the transition. Teams have until Thursday to use either, but with Green having turned 30 Friday and the Packers unwilling to box themselves into a prescribed salary, the deadline will pass without Green Bay playing tag. "We haven't even thought about that," said Green's agent, Joby Branion. "That's not been discussed." -- More

Ferguson still in team's plansOft-injured receiver to get another shotBy TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.comPosted: Feb. 21, 2007Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson said at the time he put Robert Ferguson on injured reserve last October that he wanted the oft-injured wide receiver back in 2007. Four months later, nothing has changed. Ferguson, who missed the final 10 games due to a Lisfranc injury in his right foot, was told during his exit interview with the team that he would not be released this off-season. Despite missing 36 of a possible 96 games since being selected in the second round in 2001, Ferguson will be given a shot to prove himself once again. "He's looking forward to having a good year," said his agent, Brian Overstreet. "He's doing good, and he'll be ready to go when camp starts. He's coming in hoping to start. He'll just work hard, and if he can contribute as a starter he will and if not, he'll fill whatever role they'd like him to do." -- More

Tight end confident he can help PackersBy ROB REISCHEL / Special to the Journal SentinelPosted: Feb. 22, 2007Indianapolis - Zach Miller, a standout tight end from Arizona State, listed team after team Thursday that he thought needed help at his position. When Miller finished, he had carelessly forgotten to name the Green Bay Packers. "Oh yeah, that's right," said Miller, who interviewed with Green Bay Wednesday night at the NFL combine. "I forgot about them. They definitely need a tight end." They sure do. Bubba Franks, David Martin and Donald Lee were as pedestrian as a group of tight ends could be in 2006. The Green Bay trio combined for a paltry 58 receptions, 580 yards and two touchdowns. So logic suggests the Packers will address the position relatively early in the National Football League draft on April 28 and 29. The problem is, the 2007 crop of tight ends isn't wowing anybody. -- More

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On Friday, February 23, 2007 at 5:59 AM.